Nepal

About Nepal

If you’re looking for awe-inspiring views, a fascinating Asian culture and a rewarding volunteer experience, then join us in the stunning country of Nepal. Wedged between China and India, with its iconic Himalayan peaks and colourful Buddhist temples, both the scenery and the culture are remarkable.

You’ll certainly experience a lot during your stay, with a combination of practical renovation work at a Deaf school and the opportunity to learn about the local Deaf community, as well as exciting visits in the area.

You’ll explore the highlights of Kathmandu itself, with its ancient, narrow streets, and temples adorned in multi-coloured prayer flags, before relaxing on the peaceful shores of Pokhara’s beautiful lake and watching the sunrise over the Himalayan mountains during a fully-supported weekend hike.

Next trips:

Sunday 2nd August to Saturday 15th August 2020 (subject to international travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic)

Daily work & activities

Most mornings will be spent doing practical hands-on renovation work, for example painting murals, refurbishing a classroom or dormitory, renovating a playground.

Afternoons are spent doing cultural and social activities such as fun educational games with local D/deaf students, a Nepali sign language class to help communication, visiting local markets and ancient temples. You will also have time off to relax!

Evenings are normally free to relax. Play cards, chat to the locals at our accommodation (our interpreter can help), update your social media (there’s normally wifi!), take in the view from the rooftop…up to you!

What’s Included

Accommodation

Either in a private rented house or local hotel with the rest of our group, VoluntEars staff and our Communicator.

There is plenty of space to relax during your time off, often with a view of distant mountains, neighborhoods are quiet and safe and there is normally wifi.

Food

3 meals a day.

Food is either served at our accommodation or in local restaurants.

We make sure you get to try a variety of tasty local dishes. We know all the places you will eat so we know the food is safe and good quality.

All local transport; not flights

We use a mix of private air-conditioned mini-buses, taxis and tourist coaches for the whole trip.

Our friendly VoluntEars staff will be waiting to collect you on arrival and they’ll accompany you on all journeys in Nepal.

Nepali sign language class

Learn some Nepali sign language from a local teacher.

It’s fun and it helps communication with the local deaf students during your trip.

World Peace Pagoda

Walk around this impressive peace pagoda and admire the view of Pokhara, Phewa lake and the mountains in the distance.

Relax on the shores of Phewa lake

Phewa lake is 10 minutes walk from our accommodation in Pokhara. It’s a lovely calm place to watch the sun go down, see local people fishing from tiny boats and reflect on the day.

Traditional weaving centre

If you want to see how local people make their beautiful bright coloured fabrics then we’ll happily take you to a traditional weaving centre. You will meet the ladies who work there and even have a go! Their profits help poor communities in the mountains.

Visit Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple)

Swayambhunath (often known as the “Monkey temple”) is one of Kathmandu’s most famous and oldest Buddhist temples. You’ll walk up 365 steps to the top but take your time, the view is definitely worth it!

Kathmandu and it's markets

Explore the narrow and twisty lanes of Thamel district in Kathmandu with the guidance of our VoluntEars staff and Communicator.

Trek in the Himalayan mountains

Three day hike in the Himalayan mountains – fully supported by professional guides and sherpas to carry bags. Watch the sunrise over the famous Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks from Poon Hill and experience local life in rural Nepal as we walk through cloud forest and cross Gurkha bridges high above rivers.

Includes transport in private jeeps at the start and end, accommodation, food and water in “tea houses” and some of the most memorable views ever!

You do not need previous experience but should be happy to walk for 5-6 hours per day. We use well maintained paths, have frequent breaks and walk at a slow pace so the group stays together and everyone enjoys this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Anyone not wanting to do the trek is welcome to have a relaxing weekend around Pokhara instead. Enjoy a boat trip on the lake, mooch around the shops, sample the local coffee in one of the many cafes overlooking the lake and mountains or go for a spa treatment. There’s plenty to choose from!

Comprehensive orientation in Nepal

Pre-trip meeting in Sussex, UK

Meet other volunteers and our staff before your trip.

If you can’t attend the meeting we will email all the information to you and can arrange a video call to explain everything in sign language and answer your questions.

Certificate of completion

References

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday

Arrive in Nepal!

We will meet you at the airport in Kathmandu and drive you to our hotel accommodation. You can unpack, meet the other volunteers and relax. We will go for dinner at a nearby restaurant so you’ll get your first taste of Nepali food; will you choose thukpa, Tibetan momos or something else?

Day 2 - Monday

After breakfast we’ll run through the schedule for the next two weeks so you know what to expect. Then we’ll discover part of Kathmandu on foot. Get ready to take in all the sights, smells, people and activity around you!

After lunch we’ll visit the famous Swayambunath, one of Nepal’s oldest Buddhist temples. Also known as the Monkey Temple, you will get great views of the whole city after climbing many steps to the top!

Day 3 - Tuesday

Pokhara! After breakfast we’ll escape Kathmandu’s bustling city and travel through the mountains to the peace and tranquillity of Pokhara.

This afternoon you can mooch around Pokhara’s many shops and then take in the sights across the shores of Pokhara’s beautiful Phewa Lake.

Day 4 - Wednesday

Our first day at school! We’ll travel to school on the bright yellow school bus – your first chance to experience Nepali sign language with the local students! The Principal will show us around so you see the differences between Deaf education at home and in Nepal. Then we’ll start our renovation work. We normally refurbish a school classroom, dormitory or playground. We’ll show you exactly what to do, we provide all the materials and no previous experience is required.

This afternoon we’ll learn some local sign language in a Nepali Sign Language class run by a local teacher.

Day 5 - Thursday

Renovation work at the school in the morning.

This afternoon we’ll visit the impressive World Peace Pagoda which overlooks Pokhara town and Phewa lake. Watch the sunset before returning to Pokhara for dinner in another hand-picked restaurant.

Day 6 - Friday

Renovation work at the school in the morning.

Educational games and fun activities with the local Nepalese D/deaf students in the afternoon.

Day 7 - Saturday

Either: Breakfast and then off to the mountains by private jeep with our Nepalese guides and sherpas for 3 days of hiking in the Himalayas.

Or (if you don’t fancy hiking in the mountains): Start your relaxing weekend with a lay-in and then decide whether you’ll go for a spa treatment, mooch around the shops, go for a boat ride on the lake or something else. The choice is yours!

Day 8 - Sunday

Either (for those who went hiking): we’ll leave our “tea house” accommodation after breakfast and hike higher up into the mountains. You’ll walk alongside rivers, past padi fields growing rice and see local people herding goats and water buffalo as part of their traditional life.

Or (for those who chose to stay in Pokhara): your second free day to do whatever you choose.

Day 9 - Monday

Either (for those who went hiking): day 3 of the hike. We’ll wake up early and walk to Poon Hill. From here we’ll watch the sunrise over Annarpurna, Machapuchare (“Fish tail peak”) and several other 6,000m mountain peaks. You’ll never forget the view! Then we’ll gradually walk down out of the mountains to our waiting Jeeps and head back to Pokhara for a well earned shower and dinner!

Or (for those who chose to stay in Pokhara): your long weekend is nearly over so make the most of your relaxing time before we go back to school tomorrow!

Day 10 - Tuesday

Renovation work at the school in the morning.

Educational games and fun activities with the local Nepalese D/deaf students in the afternoon.

Day 11 - Wednesday

Renovation work at the school in the morning.

Free afternoon to go shopping, walk along the lakeside, get a massage or choose something else.

Day 12 - Thursday

Finish the renovation work at school and present it to the school Principal and students. We hope they like it!

Visit a traditional weaving centre and try your hand at weaving using a traditional hand loom!

Day 13 - Friday

After breakfast we will drive back through the mountains to Kathmandu, arriving late afternoon.

There are several optional activities after arriving back in Kathmandu. These include visiting Pashupatinath, trying an Ayurvedic massage and buying your souvenirs before our farewell dinner together on your last night.

Day 14 - Saturday

Time for one last breakfast all together before packing up and heading to the airport.

We’ll drive you back to the airport and make sure you start your journey home safely. It’s been a busy 2 weeks and you won’t want to leave but you’ve got a long flight back to think about all the amazing things you did!

Dates & Prices

2020

Sunday 2nd August to Saturday 15th August (subject to international travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic)